Episode Overview

Podcast: All Of It (WNYC)
Host: Matt Katz (filling in for Alison Stewart)
Episode: Daymé Arocena's 'Alkemi' (Listening Party)
Date: February 28, 2024

This episode of All Of It centers on a listening party and in-depth conversation with acclaimed Afro-Cuban singer and composer Daymé Arocena. Host Matt Katz explores the creation, themes, and spirit behind Daymé’s new album, Alkemi, her first LP in five years. The discussion touches on musical alchemy, spiritual journeys, cultural fusion, and personal transformation, offering listeners both musical highlights and candid artist reflections.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Meaning and Intent of "Alkemi"

• [01:39–05:44]
  • Daymé describes the album’s title as rooted in the Yoruba word for "alchemy," symbolizing mixture and transformation.
    • Initially, she wanted a title that reflected musical fusion—"mixing genres and mixing instruments and rhythms"—but it evolved to signify her personal and spiritual transformation.
  • "Alchemy is not just a musical thing. It's actually trying to find the best version of yourself." – Daymé Arocena [03:45]
  • The distinction between chemical transformation and spiritual alchemy is discussed; for Daymé, this project became about becoming her “best self” through music.

2. Cultural and Personal Identity Blended Into Music

• [04:52–07:38]
  • The album reflects Daymé’s journey as a Black Latina woman, confronting societal violence and internalizing self-love.
    • "I'm a woman, that I no longer look at myself at the mirror to judge me. Now, when I look at myself at the mirror, I dance." – Daymé Arocena [05:09]
    • She stresses how the process of making the album transformed her, helping her discover her own beauty and self-worth.
  • This album feels different from her prior ones—less about musical virtuosity, more about honesty and personal storytelling.

3. African Spirituality and Universal Connection

• [08:01–10:23]
  • Daymé’s music frequently references African spirituality and Santería (e.g., previous songs like "Gods of Yoruba" and "Alegua").
  • She reflects on sharing intimate spiritual aspects with a diverse audience:
    • "For me, spirituality is way bigger than [religion], and we all connect through that." – Daymé Arocena [08:38]
    • Spirituality, versus organized religion, is described as universal—her music aims to invite everyone into an experience larger than doctrine or ritual.
  • Her hope is that listeners, regardless of background, connect with the deep feeling that anchors her work.

4. The Story and Craft behind "American Boy"

• [10:23–14:33]
  • "American Boy" was written ten years prior for a man who deeply impacted her self-image.
    • The simple act of holding her hand publicly was transformative:
      "At that time, I was someone so insecure of myself...when he left...I saw the light because he was giving me a different version of who I was." – Daymé Arocena [11:01]
    • The relationship—a short-lived yet emotionally important connection—helped her see her own worth.
  • The track is noted for blending traditional Yoruba rhythms with funk, emblematic of both her culture and that of the song’s subject.
    • "It was like a crush. We had a crush, but we had actually a cultural crush." – Daymé Arocena [14:33]

5. Collaboration with Producer Eduardo Cabra

• [14:33–16:16]
  • Eduardo Cabra (from hip hop group Calle Trece) produced Alkemi and brought industry savvy, pop sensibility, and deep Caribbean and Cuban roots.
    • "I brought a Roomba and he turned it into a reggaeton rumba...he knows how to make it sound pop." – Daymé Arocena [15:24]
  • The album was shaped during an immersive four-month recording stint in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

6. Role as Educator and NYU Residency

• [16:16–17:10]
  • Daymé is serving as a Mellon Artist in Residence at NYU’s Hemispheric Institute, teaching a masterclass on Cuban music, courses on vocal performance, and discussing the creative process behind Alkemi.

7. Musical Intimacy: "Fuego Lento" and The Album’s Range

• [17:10–18:36]
  • "Fuego Lento" is a duet with Dominican songwriter Vicente Garcia; Daymé calls it a “sexy” song, illustrating the album’s emotional and tonal diversity.
    • "Some songs you can add...on your bedtime playlist." – Daymé Arocena [17:49]
  • The album contains both introspective tracks for solitary listening and songs to dance to with others, reflecting the complexity of lived experience.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• "I created an album, and at the end of the day, the album created a new version of me that is beautiful." – Daymé Arocena [05:45]
• "I believe everybody should try to make their own alchemy." – Daymé Arocena [07:38]
• "When you connect with someone that is deeply connected with their spirit, you don't care what 'religion' is behind that. It doesn't really matter." – Daymé Arocena [09:19]
• "Life is beautiful, right?" – Daymé Arocena [12:21]
• "I wanted the Batadromes, which represents a lot my culture, into funk, which represents his—the 'American boy'—culture." – Daymé Arocena [13:55]
• "No worries. Life is beautiful." – Daymé Arocena [18:04]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:59 – Show and guest introduction, first song sample ("Porti")
• 01:39–05:44 – Album origin, alchemy, and personal growth
• 05:09 – Daymé on self-acceptance as a woman
• 08:01–10:23 – Spirituality, religion vs. spirituality, inclusivity
• 10:23–14:33 – Story and inspiration behind "American Boy"
• 14:33–16:16 – Working with Eduardo Cabra; making the album in Puerto Rico
• 16:16–17:10 – NYU Mellon Artist Residency
• 17:10–18:36 – On "Fuego Lento," album moods, and closing thoughts

Album Release & Event Info

• Alkemi is available now.
• Album release party: February 29 at The Sultan Room, Bushwick, Brooklyn (7pm)
• Also features DJ Benona.

Overall Tone

Daymé Arocena brings warmth, vulnerability, and philosophical depth to the conversation, openly chronicling her personal journey and artistic evolution. The tone is celebratory, honest, and encouraging—a reflection of both her Afro-Cuban roots and a broader, inclusive spirituality.